ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan baseball team won its fourth straight home game, using a five-run first to defeat Central Michigan, 7-3, on Wednesday afternoon (April 4) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium.

Michigan answered Central Michigan's home run by Jordan Dean in the top of the first with five runs in the bottom of the frame. Junior Patrick Biondi(Woodhaven, Mich./Divine Child) and freshman Dylan Delaney(Woodland Hills, Calif./Chaminade) both walked to lead off the inning. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch and Biondi scored as sophomore Michael O'Neill(Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) reached on an error by the shortstop. Freshman Will Drake(Fairfield, Ohio/Fairfield) made it 2-0 with a single to left, scoring Delaney. Michigan loaded the bases once again and junior/sophomore John DiLaura(Clinton Twp., Mich./Warren DeLa Salle) brought in a run on a walk. Sophomore Cole Martin(Bay City, Mich./John Glenn) then brought in a pair of runs with a single through the left side.

Biondi scored an unearned run in the fourth, making it 6-1 Wolverines. After Central put up a pair in the fifth, Michigan answered as senior Coley Crank(Pinole, Calif./Pinole Valley) homered to left-center, his sixth of the season.

Michigan used five pitchers on the day as freshman James Bourque(Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron) earned the win on the mound. He went the first three innings, striking out three and allowing two hits and a run with a pair of walks. Junior Kyle Clark(Portage, Mich./Portage Central), sophomore Alex Lakatos(Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) and freshman Matt Ogden(Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill) each pitched scoreless relief for the Maize and Blue. The loss went to Matt Trowbridge, who gave up four earned runs on two hits in an inning's work.

Martin drove in a pair of runs apiece for Michigan. William Arnold was 3-for-5 to lead the Chippewas.

Michigan starts a three-game series against in-state and Big Ten rival Michigan State this Friday (April 6) at 5:35 p.m. at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium. [ Tickets ]